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Through the Idaho Policy Forum, The College of Idaho invites the Idaho public to get informed, listen to each other, and deliberate about the most important issues facing the nation and the State of Idaho.
Legislators, academics and leaders in our community come together in these forums and confront issues such as women’s reproductive rights, the state of education, tax and housing policies, climate change and green energy and more. Open and civil discourse are the foundation of our forums.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) revealed that “between August 2022 and December 2024, Idaho lost 94 of the 268 OB/GYN physicians practicing obstetrics (35%), net new entrants to the state.” On October 23 at 5:30pm in the Holsinger Room in Simplot Hall, join lawmakers, physicians, and healthcare providers for a critical discussion on the state of healthcare in Idaho.
The world is grappling with numerous challenges, from climate change and housing affordability to access to education, healthcare, transportation, public lands and more. The College’s Master of Applied Public Policy (MAPP) is designed for the next generation of leaders who want to shape, implement and evaluate public policy on a regional and global scale.
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Dr. Stelios Panageotou (Political Economy) discusses a recent Idaho Policy Forum hosted by the College deconstructing the results of the election and what Idahoans can expect over the next four years.
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Longstanding policies defining the role of education in Idaho have been called into question. Is the state adequately supporting public schools, their students, teachers and staff? Should the legislature award taxpayer dollars to private schools, many of them religiously affiliated, in order to expand school choice?
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The Idaho Policy Forum gathered to hear members of the press deconstruct the election and weigh in on the upcoming legislative session. Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane shared Idaho’s voting data, Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield discussed what’s next for Idaho public schools, and elected Republican senators and representatives espoused upon the state of the Republican Party in Idaho.
Interested in Prop 1? The Idaho Policy Forum hosted Luke Mayville, the co-founder of Reclaim Idaho and the architect behind this voter initiatives, and Tom Luna, former chair of the Idaho Republican Party, as they debated the pros and cons of open primaries and ranked choice voting.
The College of Idaho hosted 16 candidates running for U.S. Congress and the Idaho Senate and House of Representatives and asked pointed questions about their positions on a variety of critical issues affecting Idahoans, including public schools facilities funding, library restrictions, JFAC budgeting process, among others.
Policy experts, elected officials and leaders in government agencies, nonprofits and corporations grappled with the issues of school vouchers, green energy and open primaries. Former Governor of Idaho Butch Otter offered his perspective on open primaries and ranked choice voting, and Former Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court Jim Jones offered a keynote address.
Current and former Idaho representatives, a former U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho, a member of the housing developer community, constitutional law scholars and representatives from the Legislative Services Office of the State of Idaho, the Idaho School Boards Association, the Government Affairs Office of the City of Boise, the Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy and the Idaho Coalition for Safe Healthcare discussed tax and education policy and the housing crisis in Idaho and contextualized the significance of the Dobbs decision for Idahoans.
Join a program designed for the next generation of leaders. With personalized mentorship, flexible courses and a curriculum grounded in applied learning, The College of Idaho’s Master of Applied Public Policy degree program equips you to drive change in your organization or community — all while maintaining balance in your life.
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